Kurt Lehovec

Dr. Kurt Lehovec 1918-2012 Kurt Lehovec, 93, of Los Angeles died peacefully at his home February 17, 2012. He was born June 12, 1918, in Ledvice, a small village in what is now the Czech Republic. Dr. Lehovec immigrated to the U.S. in 1947. He spent his professional years as a research scientist working with the U.S. Signal Corps in Fort Monmouth, N.J., the Sprague Electric Company in North Adams, Mass., and at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He published hundreds of scientific articles and holds many patents on materials and devices. He is best known for his work on the light-emitting diode, the photovoltaic effect in a solar cell and p/n junction isolation in microchips, which helped lay the groundwork for semiconductor technology. After his retirement from USC, Dr. Lehovec began writing poetry at the age of 77. He published six volumes and frequently read aloud at local bookstores and coffee shops. He loved the outdoors, finding deep peace among the trees on his property. He was an expert skier and an avid tennis player, winning tennis championships well into his 80s. Dr. Lehovec had a soft spot for people in need. He helped countless people through his generosity, serving as a father figure and mentor. He is survived by his former wife, Gisela Lehovec, of Philo, Ill.; and four daughters: Susan and husband John Maher of Mount Laurel, N.J.; Bettina Lehovec of Fayetteville, Ark.; Linda Lehovec and husband Brian Behrns of Philo, Ill.; and Marietta and husband Michael Tower of Bellevue, Wash.; and by grandson Gabriel Trumbo of Fayetteville, Ark.; and grandchildren Jacob, Hannah and Meghan Tower of Bellevue, Wash.; and by his sister-in-law, Dorothea Lehovec of Weissenburg, Germany. The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Michael Teniente, Dr. Lehovec's faithful friend and eventual caregiver, who was with our father until the end. Donations in Dr. Lehovec's memory may be made to Teniente's nonprofit organization, The Logos Academe for Judeo-Christian Philosophy at 200 S. Westmoreland Ave., Los Angeles, CA. 90004.